My Impulse Buying Sorted With ‘Your 5’

Last week I wrote a post about the ‘Your 5’ event that was being put on by the two main shopping centres in central Croydon – Centrale and the Whitgift Centre.

I was going along to this event with an open mind and not really knowing what to expect.

I was plesently surprised when I was greeted by a beeming smile and a group of super friendly and eagar ladies, all ready and waiting to help me get my clothes and make up sorted for this season.

I’m a bit of a magpie when it comes to clothes shopping and I’m always drawn in by that sparky item that I immediately fall in love with and then get home to find it goes with nothing in my wardrobe.

My personal stylist who was very personable and stylish herself explained to me the theory behind the event and how they have used the train of though of the French woman who all swear by the rule of only needing five key pieces in your wardrobe, that can then be mixed and matched with different items to create a perfect capsule wardrobe.

iPad in hand all my details were logged and I was walked around the five key groups of the boot, the knit, the coat, the wide legged trouser and the skirt.

Each section had clothes and boots pulled from a selection of stores across the two shopping centres and covered every base with the very young, the school run Mum and the older lady.

Cosy knits, slouchy trousers and structured office wear all featured and I could honestly say I would challange anyone to not find something that would suit their style and taste.

I always like something a little different from the norm and was really happy that there were a lot of edgy pieces in there and not just classic styles which is what I was expecting.

I spent a good twenty minutes looking at gorgeous embroidered details that were on the new favourite ‘Mum’ style jean, checking out the classic cosy parka that is a staple for any school run and a huge array of skirts with my favourite being a stunning gold pleated number from M and S, who along with Next will now be somewhere I shop a lot more since spotting some great pieces.

The magpie in me really came out when we got to the huge array of glitzy ankle boots, but I was steered in the right direction and opted for some beautiful grey ones that were equally as pretty but just a lot more wearable!

An item from each section was selected and logged into the iPad allowing me to have a print out of my favourite key items to take away and have an easy way to find the items in store.

Along with this printout there is also an easy to download app called Centrale PLUS that offers you lots of fabulous discounts at many of their stores.

With my mind buzzing from everything I had just taken in it was time to sit back and relax whist having a much needed update to my makeup.

In was safe in the expert hands of celebrity makeup artist Sally Rowe who gave me a real wake up to how quick and simple it is to create a bright and fresh look with a small amount of products and very little time.

My makeup had not changed since my teens and is really something they needed an overhaul, and Sally has given me the encouragement to do just that.

She even managed to create the perfect eyeliner flock that I’m now going to be practicing myself!

*I was a gifted Centrale/Whitgift voucher for taking part in this event and they are all my own, honest opinion.